SILK CULTURE 



A HAND-BOOK 



FOR 



SILK-GROWERS 



BY 



/ 



Mrs. C. E. BAMFOKD 



^., 





NEW YORK: 

0. JUDD CO., DAVID W. JUDD, Pres't, 

751 BROADWAY. 

1886. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, by 

DAVID W. JUDD, 
In the OflSce of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



PREFACE. 



It is the purpose of this little hand-book to aid ia 
creating an interest in silk-culture, and to afford a guide 
to those who desire to practically undertake raising the 
silk-worm. 

From a general study of the subject, from practical 
experience, and from many authentic sources, the facts 
here presented have been compiled ; and the writer de- 
sires that the dissemination of them may prove useful, 
and that the growing of raw silk in the United States 
may become general, and add to individual and national 
prosperity. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 
The Mulberry. 5 

CHAPTER ir. 
Gathering the Leaves 8 

CHAPTER III. 
The Cocoonery 10 

CHAPTER IV. 
Esffs of the Silk-Worm Moth 13 

CHAPTER V. 
Feeding the Silk-Worms 14 

CHAPTER VI. 

Moulting 16 

CHAPTER Vn. 

Spinning 18 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The Cocoons 21 

CHAPTER IX. 

The Moths of the Silk- Worm 23 

CHAPTER X. 
Varieties of Silk- Worms - 25 

CHAPTER XI. 

Diseases of the Silk-Worm 26 

CHAPTER XII. 
Reeling ■lllmtrated 27 

CHAPTER XIII 
Chemistry of Silk 29 

. CHAPTER XIV. 
Miscellaneous. ^^0 



(4) 



SILK CULTURE. 



CHAPTER I. 
THE MULBERRY. 

The first important work in practical silk-culture is, 
to provide an abundance of nourishing food for the 
future army of silk-worms. Worms fed upon the leaves 
of the Osage Orange, may produce inferior silk, and let- 
tuce or dandelion leaves may prevent the worms from 
perishing with hunger ; but, unquestionably, the natural 
and proper food for the silk-worm, its ** staff of life," is 
the Mulberry. 

The Mulberry tree is of the genus Morus, which com- 
prises perhaps a dozen species. The White Mulberry, 
Morus alba, stands at the head of the list, as it has 
proved more suitable for producing the finest silk, and 
for withstanding the frosts of winter, than most other 
species. 

The Moms mtdticaulis is vigorous in growth ; its 
leaves are coarse and large, and it is easily propagated 
from cuttino-s. 

The Morus Ja23onica, or Japanese Mulberry, stands 
the cold Avell, and its large leaf recommends it to the 
silk-grower. 

(5) 



6 SILK CULTUEE. 

An improved variety of Jloncs alba, called Moretti 
elata, is said to endure hard frosts, and its large, thick 
leaves make it desirable. Cultivators differ in opinion in 
regard to the value of blie different varieties of the Mul- 
berry ; but the ^^ White ^' is generally preferred in Italy, 
and in the United States. Mulberry trees are in full 
bearing when four or five years of age. They have the 
reputation of usually resisting the extremes of heat and 
cold. A sheltered position might aid in shielding the 
trees from frost, but their depth of root helps them to 
resist the drouth of summer. 

The Mulberry requires that the soil should be deep, 
light, and rich, and it seldom thrives well in clay or 
sand. Light, loamy soil, however, well plowed, and with 
a southern exposure, is favorable to the growth of the 
tree. For convenience in picking the leaves, the trees 
should be planted near the home of the silk-culturist, 
and they may be m-ade useful as a hedge, or as shade trees, 
in any unoccupied space. 

Mulberry trees may be gro^^n either from seed, or from 
cuttings; and grafting is sometimes practiced ; but some 
think, that trees not grafted, yield the best silk, al- 
though in smaller quantities. 

If trees are planted in row^s, the rows may be ten or 
twelve feet apart, some say eight feet apart, and the trees 
six or eight feet from each other in the row. When the 
plants are young, irrigation may hasten their growth ; 
but freely-watered trees do not produce as rich material 
for making silk, nor are the leaves as nutritious or 
healthful for the Avorms, therefore water should be used 
sparingly. 

In Italy, the Mulberry is often planted in grain fields, 
or other cultivated lands, and about eighty trees allowed 
to an acre. The trees produce leaves for from fifty to 
one hundred years, according to the soil and climate. 
It is estimated that, in two or three years from planting, 



SILK CULTUKE. 7 

a tree will yield about ten pounds of leaves, and it 
requires twenty pounds or more of leaves, to produce 
one pound of silk cocoons. 

Cuttings may be six or eight inches in length, each 
having a bud or eye near the top. In rich soil, the cut- 
tings may be placed where they are expected to grow, 
and almost covered with earth. Weeds must be kept 
down, and the ground worked with plow or hoe. 

In planting a large grove of Mulberry trees, roadways 
should be left so that the leaves and branches need not 
be carried far by hand to a place of deposit. 

Mulberry trees left to themselves, usually grow to the 
hight of from twenty to forty feet ; but for convenience 
in gathering the leaves, the trees should be pruned, and 
not allowed to grow to a hight of more than ten or 
twelve feet. This pruning may be done each year, or 
every other year, in the fall months, after the leaves 
have fallen. The trees may be planted in either fall or 
spring, although the latter time is preferable. 

Ten or twenty trees are sufficient for a first experiment 
in silk culture, and the writer proved that three trees of 
two years' growth, produced sufficient leaves for one hun- 
dred worms, from the time of hatching until they spun. 

One acre of land may easily contain four hundred trees, 
and feed the silk-worms from several ounces of eggs. 
Some one has estimated that a good rich acre can be 
made to yield food enough for one million silk-worms. 
But no precise estimate can be made, because so much 
depends upon the number of trees to the acre, also the 
hight they are allowed to grow, the quality of soil, the 
climate, and the economy or prodigality of those who 
gather the leaves and feed the worms. 

It might pay the farmer to plant groves of Mulberry 
for the purpose of selling the leaves and branches to 
people in towns who desire to raise the silk-worms, but 
who have no land upon which to raise the necessary food. 



8 SILK CULTURE. 

Millions of worms might be raised in this way in cities, 
and prove a benefit to both town and country. 

If it is desirable to raise trees in a nursery, the cut- 
tings may be placed four or five inches apart, and trans- 
planted the third year. 

When pruning trees, all dead branches should be re- 
moved and the trees kept in a trim and healthy state. 
The pale green of the Mulberry is pleasing to the eye, 
and the wood is good for fencing, and for use by the 
cabinet-maker. The fruit which grows upon the Mul- 
berry is readily eaten by poultry, while cattle are said to 
thrive upon the green leaves. 

The work of gathering leaves from the Mulberry is 
not nearly so much as that required in picking the small 
leaves of the Osage Orange, and the price of silk made 
from Mulberry is greater than that from the Orange. 



CHAPTER II. 
GATHERING THE LEAVES. 

The tiny worms must be supplied with leaves imme- 
diately after hatching, or they will wander off and get 
lost. Only small leaves, or tender larger leaves, should 
be gathered for the young worms. The reddish leaves 
must never be given to worms, as they sicken and injure 
them. Damp leaves must never be given to silk-worms 
of any size or *^*age." 

In rain-storms, the leaves must be dried, or thoroughly 
wiped, before presenting them to the worms. Stale and 
withered leaves, the worms will never eat. Twigs and 
branches may be given to feed from, jvhen the worms are 
older. A sufficient number of branches should never be 
taken from one tree, to disfigure or injure it. The 



SILK CULTURE. V 

branches should be taken off evenly, all over the tree, so 
that a good head may appear another season. Trees arc 
sometimes, however, wholly stripped of leaves, without 
apparent injury. Pruning-shears may be used for cutting 
twigs and branches. These branches need not be lost, 
for, with care in planting, they will grow after the worms 
have eaten the leaves. The worms dislike a flat surface, 
after they are of any considerable size, therefore the twigs 
and branches are more agreeable to them. They keep the 
worms from being crowded in among the debris, and 
allow them more air, of which they need an abundance. 
If kept as warm as they should be, the worms eat most 
freely early in the morning, and late at night ; this is 
especially so with worms of the " fifth age.'' Leaves for 
the morning should be gathered the night before, and 
kept in a cool room. If not gathered until morning, 
the leaves are covered, usually, with dew. Silk-worms 
are enormous eaters, and should not be stinted for food. 
Mr. Bonafoux estimated that one ounce of worms (forty- 
thousand) would eat leaves at the following rate : 

The '' first age " 7 pounds of leaves. 

" "second age" 21 " " " 

" "third age" 69 " " " 

" "fourth age" 200 " " " 

""fifth age'- 1,250 " " '• 

Total 1,547 pounds of leaves. 

The weight of silk-worms is estimated by Count 
Dandolo as follows, for one hundred newly-hatched 
worms: 

Weight at first 1 grain. 

After first moult 15 grains. 

" second moult G4 " 

" third moult 400 " 

" fourth moult 4,623 " 

Full size 9,500 " 

All this gain in weight is made in from thirty-two to 
thirty-five days. 



10 SILK CULTURE. 

CHAPTER III. 
THE COCOONERY. 

The cocoonery, or feeding-room, may be large or small, 
according to the number of worms to be accommodated. 
In very warm countries, an airy, open building often 
serves the purpose, but a closed room is usually needed in 
the United States. An attic, or any unused room, will 
do, if it is dry, light, and has good ventilation. It is 
stated that the peasants of Europe often clear out as 
many of their living rooms as possible for the few weeks 
necessary to raise the silk-worm, and then re-occupy 
them when the spinning of the worm is over. 

When houses are built on purpose for the business, 
they should be twice as long as they are wide, with win- 
dows on each side for air and light ; but the direct rays of 
the sun upon the worms should be avoided, as it will 
sometimes kill them. Upright frximes may be made to 
hold the number of trays desired for the worms. The 
trays may be eighteen by twenty-four inches, with a 
border of seasoned wood, to prevent the worms from fall- 
ing off. They should be lined with paper, which should 
be changed daily. Perhaps a better way is, to use mos- 
quito netting for the bottom of the tray, supporting the 
worms and leaves by strong twine fastened to tacks 
beneath the netting. This netting must be taken off and 
aired often, other netting being supplied meantime. For 
the first two weeks, such a tray will answer for feeding 
eight hundred worms. As the worms grow very fast, 
care must be taken to place them on other trays, that 
they may not crowd too much. 

It has been estimated by an experienced silk-grower, 
that a room twenty-four feet by sixteen, and eleven feet 
in hight, from floor to ceiling, is sufficiently large for 
fifty-thousand worms, and that a man or woman, with 



SILK CULTURE. 11 

the help of several children, to pick the leaves, can care 
for that number with ease. 

A temporary cocoonery which the writer visited, was 
in charge of one man, who with the aid of children, was 
raising seventy-five thousand silk-worms. There were 
four or five wooden frames, extending nearly the length 
of the room, with aisles between the frames, and in hight 
the frames nearly reached the ceiling. The silk-worms 
were feeding and resting upon cheese-cloth shelves, which 
were about four or five feet in length, by three wide. 
The cloth shelves were supported by strong cord, stretched 
length Avise and then crosswise beneath them, the cord 
being fastened to the framework at the sides and ends. 
Boards for shelves are not used. Coarse cloth or netting 
allows the worms purer air. 

There were three or four cloth shelves to the length of 
one frame, and they were also placed one above another 
to the number of four, leaving a space between 
them, to allow the attendant to easily feed and 
care for the worms. The silk-worms were in all 
stages of growth. Upon a later visit, the chil- 
dren were picking the cocoons and stripping off 
the floss-silk, and then dropping the cocoons into 
baskets. Many silk-worms were spinning upon 
rough frames, or upon dry branches of oak. Each 
frame was made of three ordinary laths, of the 
usual length, and in the shape of a triangular 
prism. Each side of the triangle, at each end of 
the laths, was about four inches in lengtli. The 
roughness of the laths seemed to aid the worm in 
attaching its silken threads. The frames were 
made as an experiment, but found to work well. 
They were fastened to the corners of the cloth ^^^^' 
shelves, the lower ends resting on the shelves. When 
the spinning was over, the frames were easily taken 
dov/n, and the cocoons removed from them. 



r^^ 



12 SILK CULTURE. 

When only a few worms are raised, just for experi- 
ment, two or three trays or shallow paste-board boxes 
upon a table in the corner of a sitting-room, are all that 
need be required. Fifty worms raised thus, in a family 
of o^rowing children, may awaken in the ^^dull boy "a 
taste for natural history, which books alone could not do; 
and the mother may lead the child to adore the Avisdom 
of God, who so fashioned the silk-worm that it can make 
silk from a green leaf. 

One authority. Count Dandolo, has estimated, that 
the space needed by one million silk-worms, is as follows: 

The " first a2;e," 200 square feet of surface. 

** "secondare," 375 '' " 

«' "third age," 875 " " " 

" "fourth age," 2,062 " " " 

" "fifth age," 5,000 " " " 

Thus requiring a cocoonery of two stories to be thirty- 
five by seventy feet. 

It is stated that in China the cocoonery is often but 
a bamboo house, with curtained windows, standing at one 
end of a silk farm, and the trays resemble little sieves, 
which stand upon upright frames. The little girls are 
early taught to pick the Mulberry leaves from the many 
rows of low trees, and carry them in baskets to the 
cocoonery, Avhere they quietly feed the worms, and learn 
how to care for the silk-worms at a very early age. 



SILK CULTURE. 13 

CHAPTER IV. 
EGGS OF THE SILK- WORM MOTH. 

The eggs of the moth are nearly round in form, slightly 
indented on the faces, and about the size of the head of 
a common pin. At first they are yellowish in color, but 
when fertilized, they become in a few days or weeks, of 
a grayisli hue, or sometimes of a lilac or greenish color, 
according to the variety of the silk-worm. 

The eggs arc usually called by silk culturists, ^' seeds," 
or ^^ grain." The '^grain" is preserved upon i^ortable 
substances, such as cloth or paper, to which the eggs 
adheres by means of a natural gluey substance, or gum. 
The eggs should be kept in a very cool, dry room, at, say, 
thirty or forty degrees, or lower, until the Mulberry puts 
forth its leaves, thus signaling that the hatching season 
draws nigh. 

Then the eggs should be introduced very gradually 
into a warm temperature, until seventy-five or eighty 
degrees are reached, when they will gradually hatch in 
from three to ten days. The '^annual" Avorms hatch 
usually in April or May. There should be some means of 
keeping the cocoonery or feeding-room, at from seventy- 
five or eighty degrees, night and day, during the whole 
existence of the worm. 

As the time approaches for hatching, the eggs become 
lighter in color, a very slight clicking sound may usually. 
be heard from v^ithin, and early some morning the tiny 
worms begin to crawl out of their little prisons. Without 
experience, one would suppose the white egg contained 
a white worm, bat no ; out they come, one after another, 
and all are as black as night, and are looking about for 
food. 

The just hatched silk-worms are but one or two lines 
in length, but their growth is very rapid. All worms 



14 SILK CULTURE. 

that hatch upon a single day, should be kept by them- 
Belves, and not placed in the same tray or on the same 
shelf with those hatched the day before. Otherwise, the 
worms will not all moult at the same time, and the feed- 
ing worms will disturb those that are sleeping. 

It is estimated that one ounce of eggs, or forty- 
thousand worms, will produce one hundred pounds of 
fresh cocoons, or thirty pounds of stifled, dried cocoons. 
Growlers should raise their own eggs for **seed," and the 
eggs must be free from disease, or the worms will prob- 
ably die. Should disease break out, the sick and dead 
worms must be destroyed, and the trays thoroughly 
washed, scalded, and diluted carbolic acid, or fumigation 
may be used for cleansing the trays. 



CHAPTER V. 
FEEDING THE SILK-WORMS. 

The amount of silk produced by silk-worms depends 
largely upon the quantity and quality of food they con- 
sume, from which to manufacture the silk. Therefore it 
is of the greatest importance that leaves of the proper 
kind, and in sufficient quantity, should be within their 
reach at all times. Six, or even eight, times during the 
twenty-four hours, fresh food should be placed before the 
worms. They rather skillfully gnaw the leaves in little 
circles, and sometimes leave only the skeletons behind. 

Leaves that are dusty, must be cleaned before feeding 
them to the worms, and the greatest care is necessary in 
regard to cleanliness, and in respect to good ventilation 
and an even temperature in the feeding room. Draughts 
should be avoided, and food should never be laid over the 
silk-worms in such a manner that they will suffocate 



SILK CULTURE. 15 

from want of fresh air, or become crushed from the 
weight of leaves. A good way is, to Lay the branches 
lengthways and crossways. 

Dried leaves and excrements, also the cast-off skins, 
should be removed from the trays daily, and no tobacco- 
smoke or other unpleasant odors allowed to penetrate the 
feeding-room. 

Dead or diseased worms must be burned, that their 
presence may not injure the healthy worms. Some worms 
will die at every moult, and will be found among the 
dried leaves and litter. It should be very strongly im- 
pressed upon all silk culturists, that extreme cleanliness 
and great care, are necessary to the health of silk-worms. 

It is not well to handle silk-worms ; but when it is 
necessary to remove them from one tray to another, it 
may best be done after they have crawled upon fresh 
branches. In feeding, when the worms are small, mos- 
quito netting may be placed over the v/orms, and fresh 
Mulberry leaves upon the top of it. The worms will soon 
crawl through the meshes to the fresh food ; then they 
may be removed on the netting to a clean tray, and the 
litter cleaned from the one the vrorms have left. 

When the worms are larger, paste-board, or paper per- 
forated with sufficiently large holes for the worms to 
crawl through, may be substituted for the netting. 

Leaves of peach, or any other kind of fruit tree, must 
never be carelessly mixed with the Mulberry leaves. 
Some fruit trees leaves are poisonous, if fed to and eaten 
by the worms. 

Insects, such as ants, and spiders, must not be allowed 
in the feeding-room, and birds, rats, and mice, will devour 
silk-worms or cocoons, if possible. 

A thermometer is necessary in regulating the tempera- 
ture of the feeding-room. Well-fed worms, and those 
kept at a temperature of seventy-five degrees, will mature 
quicker and are less liable to disease, than those that are 



16 SILK CULTURE. 

but half-fed and kept in a colder room of sixty degrees. 
However, the heat should never exceed eighty degrees. 
If worms have sufficient food, they are not disjiosed to 
v/ander away from it, excepting when they are just ready 
to spin their cocoons. 

A company of ^^ fifth-age " worms, while feeding, make 
a low, munching sound with their strong jaws, which may 
be heard across a large room. But, as they make no other 
audible sound during life,*this noise is rather pleasant 
than otherwise. No mouldy odor should cling to the 
trays, or be allowed in the feeding-rooms. 



CHAPTEE VI. 
MOULTING. 

The moulting time is a serious period in the lives of 
tlie worms. It is very important that sharp, quick noises 
should be avoided in the feeding-room, and that no un- 
usual sounds should be heard by the little sleepers. 
Severe thunder-storms have been known to so frighten 
them at the time, that they have perished. 

Silk- worms pass through four sleeping spells, or moults. 
In four or five days from hatching, they crawl upon an 
elevated portion of a leaf, fasten themselves by the hind- 
most legs, raise their heads in the air, and remain in tliis 
position, if not disturbed, for from twelve to thirty hours. 
When they awake, they leave their black coats upon the 
dried leaves, and come out dressed in lighter colored ones. 
Their coats are lighter after each successive moult, and 
after the last one, is of a yellowish-white color. 

The skins that are cast, often preserve the shape of the 
head, legs and other parts of tlie body, so much so, as 



SILK CULTURE. 17 

sometimes, in the fourth moult, to be mistaken for the 
worm itself. These skins should be destroyed with the 
rest of the litter. Doubtless, the silk-worms feel relieved 
on getting out of the old skins tlnit have become too 
small for them, and after each moult they hasten to their 
Mulberry food with increased appetite. 

The periods between the moults are called '^agcs," 
therefore a silk-worm is spoken of as beiug in the "sec- 
ond age," "fifth age," etc. The length of the "ages" 
vary from five to seven days, however; the "fifth age," 
or last one, is nine or ten days long. 

Moulting should not be mistaken for disease ; some- 
times the worm may turn of a dark color and appear sick, 
before sleeping. 

These stated periods are usually given as follows : 

From liatclung to the first moult from 5 to 6 days. 

" first to second moult " 4 *' 5 " 

" second to third moult 5 " 

" third to fourth moult 6 " 

" fourth moult to spinning from 8 to 10 " 

In too cold a temperature, the life of the worm may be 
prolonged several days, but the usual length is from 
thirty-two to thirty-five days. From hatching, until the 
cocoons are all dry enough for the filature (or reeling), is 
a period of about three months. 

The fourth moult is the most serious, and silk-worms 
that have not had good previous care, are likely to die at 
this time, 



18 SILK CULTURE. 

CHAPTER VII. 
SPINNING. 

At length, at the end of from thirty-two to thirty-five 
days, the silk-worm is fully grown. It is now three 
inches or more in length, of a greenish or yellowish-white 
color, with dark markings, and a fleshy protuberance on 
the last joint but one. Its body has twelve segments, 
nine stigmata or breathing holes on each side, and a 
double row of legs, numbering sixteen in all. 

Although the worm has so many legs, it finds use for 
them all when it begins to spin. While some support its 
body, other legs are used, sailor-like, in hauling the silken 
ropes in a skillful manner. The anterior six legs are 
hooked, while the others end off in disks. The mouth is 
opened vertically, and the jaws are serrated (saw- 
toothed), and very strong. 

A day or two before the worm commences to spin its 
cocoon, its desire for food abates ; it nibbles the leaves 
without seeming to have an appetite for them ; it is rest- 
less, and runs hither and thither, looking upward fre- 
quently as though searching for a quiet haven among the 
branches to weave its nest, and then, wrapping 'Uhe 
drapery of its couch about itself, lies down to jDleasant 
dreams." 

The worm should now be provided with something to 
spin in, or upon, and many things will answer for the 
purpose. Clean bunches of straw, set upright, twigs, and 
small bundles of tree-branches two or three feet long, 
may be laid upon the shelf ; paper cones, or small, square 
pasteboard boxes may be used for them to spin in. 
On finding itself within a limited space, in a cone, for 
instance, where the walls may be touched on all sides by 
its head, the worm carefully inspects every corner, and, 
at length, with an air of satisfaction, fastens its first 



SILK CULTURE. 19 

silken rope, as a guy, to a selected spot. The silk issues 
from two ducts situated one on each side of the jaws of 
the worm. The yibratory motion of the head, causes the 
two threads to unite and appear to the unaided eye like 
a single thread. 

The worm twists its body in the shape of the letter S, 
while spinning, and it is not long in attaching its threads 
to all sides of its new cell. Within this outer floss-silk 
is spun the cocoon. Gradually, the worm is hidden from 
sight, and in from three to five days the cocoon is 
finished. While spinning, the w^orms should be kept 
sej^arate, that they may make no double cocoons Avhich 
cannot be reeled. However, they are just as good for 
seed. No draughts of air should come upon the worms 
while spinning, lest the fluid from which the silk is 
formed may congeal, and interfere with this important 
work. The temperature should be kept up the same as 
when they were eating, at seventy-five or eighty degrees. 

The cocoon is made entirely of silk, covered with a yel- 
lowish gum. The silk threads of cocoons are of different 
lengths, but are usually one thousand or twelve hundred 
feet in length, as found by measurement in reeling. 
When finished, the cocoon is an inch or more long, of a 
white, green, or yellow color, according to the kind of 
silk-worm. On account of its being covered with a 
gummy substance, the cocoon is impervious to cold water. 
This provision was necessary in the native state of the 
worm, to protect it from injury by the rain. 

The cocoon is not so long as the worm was before spin- 
ning, because in part, of its having spun itself away, and 
in part, because the worm, as it spins, curls itself up al- 
most double. The yellow cocoons resemble in size and 
color the common peanut ; the depression in the center 
of many cocoons is also very similar to that in the center 
of the shell of the peanut. 

The worms that do not commence spinning so quickly 



20 SILK CULTUEE. 

as the majority have done, should be placed in another 
tray and still fed. There are always some laggards, and 
they should be protected from the greenish fluid usually 
discharged by worms before spinning. 

Silk-worms are very docile until spinning time comes ; 
then they w4sh to select their own places for spinning, 
but with a little care they are easily controlled. 

The w^orms do not wind the silk round and round the 
cocoon, as silk is wound on a spool ; but when spinning, 
their heads are moved back and forth from right to left, 
and, vice versa, from left to right, constantly ; in this 
way they nicely fold the silk in the shape of the figure 8. 

The worm gradually hides itself from yiew as it 
spins inside of its cocoon, and in about three days the 
spinning is completed and the worm then changes into 
a chrysalis. 

A very ornamental bouquet, for displaying at fairs, 
etc. , may be made from cocoons. One seen by the author, 
recently, had as a base a board of about two feet in length, 
by one in width. Perhaps one hundred holes in the board 
were filled with leafless tree branches, about three feet in 
length, standing upright. Silk-worms had been induced 
to spin their cocoons all over and through the branches, 
fastening them together with the silken floss, and pre- 
senting a beautiful bouquet, designed by man, but orna- 
mented by the silk-worm. Fifteen hundred cocoons were 
clinging to these branches by silken cords. Two other 
bouquets of smaller size, made in like manner, stood 
upon either side of the large bouquet, and golden, shining 
skeins of silk, together with numerous spools of silk, 
in all colors, were on exhibition, thus presenting a novel 
spectacle, and one of v/hich any silk culturist in the 
United States might justly be proud. 

In all cocoons there are three or four distinct layers of 
silk of different degrees of fineness. Some think that 
these correspond to the four moults of the worm. 



SILK CCTLTURE. 21 

CHAPTER VIII. 
THE COCOONS. 

In a few days ilie cocoons harden, and good ones have 
a firm feeling when handled. Those intended for raising 
eggs should be stored away in a safe place, but not 
entirely excluded from air. The lightest-colored and 
firmest cocoons are usually best, and an equal number of 
each sex should be selected, if possible, for eggs. 

The female cocoon is generally larger, and more round 
in form, while the male cocoon is slender, pointed some- 
what at the ends, and depressed in the middle. 

When the cocoons are intended for reeling, the moths 
must not be allowed to pierce the ends, for this would 
tear the threads and so injure the silk that it could not 
be reeled off. If the reeling cannot be done immediately, 
it is necessary to "stifle," or destro}^ in some way, the 
lives of the poor little jn-isoners. 

Stifling is generally done by dry heat, or by means of 
steam. Heating them in an oven, will surely kill them ; 
but it is thought that dry heat injures the glossy appear- 
ance of the silk, therefore steam is oftener resorted to for 
this purpose. It takes one hour ; but a half hour more 
will be more likely to insure success. The cocoons are 
placed in a wicker basket, covered with thick flannel, 
and suspended just above a vessel of boiling water (a 
wash boiler will answer), until the chrysalides are all 
killed. Then the cocoons must be spread out to dry, in 
a shady place, where the air is good, and where there is no 
danger from insects or mice, and they must be stirred and 
turned occasionally, until dry. In three or four weeks 
the cocoons may be gathered, tied up in coarse bags, and 
sent to the filature - or hung up in a dry j^lace. When 
shaken, the dry cocoons may be heard to rattle like peas 
in a pod. When one is opened, a homely specimen of 



22 SILK CULTURE. 

natural history is presented. It little resembles the white 
worm that entered the cocoon. Indeed, the chrysalis 
reminds one of an Esquimaux child, swaddled up from 
head to boots in a dress of one piece. It is difficult to 
cut open a cocoon witli a case knife, because the silk is 
strong and covered with gum. Scissors will, however, 
cut one open very readily, 

Never shake a cocoon that is intended for seed. Care 
should be taken not to crack or dent the cocoons that are 
to be reeled. In gathering them from the place where 
they have spun, pick off the outer floss silk. This is 
called ^'stripping." The floss silk and **' pierced" co- 
coons may be sold for poor silk. The pierced cocoons are 
those that have been opened at one end by the moth, 
when coming out. 

In gathering, keep the dark and stained cocoons sep- 
arate from others. Where the insect has died, the cocoon 
is sometimes discolored, and may be burned. Soft co- 
coons should also be rejected, as in packing they may 
break and injure others. 

XJn-pierced cocoons are usually sold at from one dollar 
to one dollar and a half per pound. All cocoons in- 
tended for market, must be properly stifled and well dried, 
or great loss may be experienced from mildew. Expense 
is avoided in shipping cocoons by packing in coarse bags, 
but barrels or boxes may be used for the purpose ; and, if 
sent by express, all expenses should be prepaid. Gum 
camphor, or some insecticide may be used in packing 
cocoons for market. 



SILK CULTURE. 23 

CHAPTER IX. 
THE MOTHS OF THE SILK-WORMS. 

In from ten to twenty days from spinning, the cocoons 
that were reserved for '^ seed," begin to show signs of 
life within. 

The prisoner moistens one end of its cocoon with 
Vj secretion provided for the purpose, and generally breaks 
through the cocoon in the forenoon ; it then comes forth 
as a moth, with wet, limp wings. 

Tlie moths appear in greatest numbers from five to 
nine o'clock in the morning : they should be placed upon 
paper and left to dry and rest for a short time, the sexes 
being kept separate. 

The moths now look no more like the former silk- 
worms that spun the cocoons, than did the swaddled-up 
chrysalides. 

The moth is of a creamy or grayish-white color, with 
brownish markings across the wings. It has four wings ; 
it has no desire to spin, and the former appetite for Mul- 
berry leaves has departed. After a short time, wdien the 
wings are thoroughly dried, the moths should be placed 
upon clean paper or muslin, upon a flat surface. If the 
eggs are intended for sale, this paper or muslin should be 
previously weighed and the accurate weight marked upon 
one side ; then, after the eggs are upon the paper and have 
dried a few days, the paper or muslin should again be 
weighed and marked, when the difference between the 
markings will show the w^eight of the eggs. 

The male moth is smaller and more active than the 
female, and keeps up a constant flutter with his wings, 
but neither sex attempts much flying. 

That the eggs may be impregnated, an equal number 
of the sexes should be placed upon the paper together, 
for six or eight hours, in a darkened room. Superfluous 



24: SILK CULTURE. 

males should be placed in a box, to awaifc the females that 
may appear the next morning from the cocoons. 

At the end of six or eight hours, the sexes should be 
separated, and the females alone left in possession of the 
paper in the dark, for twenty-four hours, during which 
time they will lay their eggs. Each female lays from 
two hundred to four hundred eggs, perhaps averaging 
three hundred. The yellow eggs gradually turn to a drab 
or grayish color, if imjDregnated ; but if they remain of 
the original color for a month, they are probably worthless 
for seed, and may be destroyed. 

The moths live three or four days, sometimes a week 
longer, and then die of old age in less than three months 
from their own birth, from the tiny eggs. 

If the eggs are not to be sold, they should be kept 
through the winter in perforated tin cans or boxes ; the 
holes should be covered with fine w^ire cloth, to keep out 
insects. The perforation is to give necessary air to the 
eggs that would probably become worthless in air-tight 
vessels. The eggs must be kept in a cool place. Even 
with the thermometer down to nearly freezing point, the 
eggs are said to be uninjured. But do not freeze them. 

Premature hatching must be avoided ; that is, before 
the Mulberry leaves are ready for food, the box of eggs 
must be kept on ice, if necessary, to prevent hatching too 
early in the spring. But do not place them on ice when 
thoy have begun to hatch, or it wall kill them. 

There should be no dampness in the room, closet, or 
cellar where the eggs remain, and the eggs should be 
looked after occasionally, to see that no insects have got 
within the box or tin, or that no mould is destroying the 
eggs. Keep up the temperature while the moths are lay- 
ing their eggs. When necessary to remove moths, do so 
by taking hold of the wings carefully. 



SILK CULTURE. 25 

H A P TE R X. 
VARIETIES OF SILK- WORMS. 

The worm that feeds ui^on the Mulberry was originally 
derived from the northern provinces of China. But 
changes have been made by climate, food, and artificial 
surroundings to such a degree, that there are at the pres- 
ent time varieties of silk- worms that vary in respect to 
the color and shape of their cocoons, in regard to the 
(piality of silk produced, and in the number of broods 
produced each year. 

Among the different varieties are the Annuals, Bi- 
voUines, TrivoUineSy Qiiadnvoltines ; producing one, two, 
three, and four broods each year. It is generally conceded 
that the annuals, are the most profitable for silk growers. 
The BLVoUi}ies])YodnGe two broods, but the second brood 
is seldom raised, because the eggs hatch at a time when 
Mulberry food is scarce. The TrivoUines arc said to 
moult but three times, instead of four, as is usual with 
the annuals. 

Varieties are often named after the countries where 
they thrive best. Among these are the French, producing 
yellow and straw-colored, large cocoons ; Italian, a 
smaller, but fine, yellow cocoon ; Chinese, a white cocoon ; 
Japanese, green and white in color ; Turkish, producing 
in Europe the best kind of white cocoons. 

The most healthy and most vigorous varieties of silk- 
worms i')roduce yellow or straw-colored cocoons ; but 
Avhite ones are considered more valuable in commerce. 
A silk grower must select the variety which he prefers ; 
but for beginners, probably the yellow-colored cocoon is 
preferable. 



26 SILK CULTURE. 

CHAPTER XL 
DISEASES OF THE SILK-WORM. 

Probably every animal, insect, or worm that walks, 
flies, or crawls, is subject to disease in some form, and 
the silk-worm is no exception. Some of these diseases 
are caused by too great heat, others by cold, while some 
are hereditary. One of the worst diseases that the French 
silk growers have had to contend Avith, is "' Muscardine." 
The losses in some years, in French cocooneries, have been 
estimated at one-sixth of the profits. The worms, in this 
disease, become a dullish white, the bodies become soft, 
and all the movements of the worms are sluggish, and 
they soon die. Bassi, an Italian, found the disease to be 
due to the attack of a fungus. 

^' Pebrine," another scourge, is hereditary. It is called 
Pehrine on account of the dark spots which appear on 
the worms, ^^peppering" the skin. This disease has been 
compared to the Asiatic cholera, and it may become con- 
tagious and infectious ; it was unknow^n until the year 
1842. 

Another disease, called FJadierie, is supposed to be 
caused by fermentation of food in the stomach of the 
worm, resulting in the development of fungi. 

There are other diseases ; but as no silk-worm physician 
has yet appeared who could cure these silk- worm patients, 
a long list of diseases can be of no practical benefit. 
Those enumerated are considered the most fatal. 

Much, however, may be accomplished by silk growers 
in preventing disease. The first thing is, to preserve 
none but healthy eggs, and then by great care, good ven- 
tilation, cleanliness, and plentiful food, to keep the worms 
in a healthy state. 



SILK CULTUEE. 27 

CHAPTEEXII. 
REELING. 

Great skill is required to reel silk in a proper manner. 
This labor may be performed at home ; but, in order to 
have the silk marketable, this work should be done by 
trained reelers. Where there are ''filatures," it is much 
better to send the cocoons to them for reeling. Eaw silk 
is produced by the operation of winding off several of the 
cocoons at the same time on a common reel, thus making 
one even thread. Raw silk is divided into three forms : 
*'Organzine," ''Floss," and "Tram." "Organzine" is 
the best, being well twisted; ."Floss" is loose silk that 
has to be carded before it is spun, while " Tram " is not 
well twisted and the poorer cocoons are used for mak- 
ing it. 

Before the cocoons can be reeled, they are placed in 
a basin of hot, nearly boiling water, to soften the natural 
gum of the filament. They are then moved about and 
slightly beaten with a small birch or corn broom, that 
the ends of the threads may be found. The ends of the 
threads get caught in the extremities of the splinters of 
which the broom is made, and then the reeler shakes the 
cocoons until each hangs by a single thread. Five or 
more of the threads are introduced into a hole or glass 
bead of ihefiUere on one side of the frame of the reel, 
and five more threads are put into a hole upon the other 
side ; the threads or two strands are then brought to- 
gether, crossed, rolled, and twisted several times, and 
after other crossings and re-crossings, not necessary to 
mention, the silk from the cocoons at length gets safely 
deposited upon the reel. It often takes about four 
pounds of cocoons to reel one pound of raw silk. The 
machinery employed for silk-reeling is possibly the 
nearest perfection in Italy and France. 



23 



SILK CULTUKE. 



Reeling;, although requiring skill, is a neat, agreeable 
■work, and very approj^riate for the deft fingers of young 
women. In a filature recently visited, several young girls 
were sitting before filled basins of nearly boiling water. 




IMPROVED LOMBAKBT HAND KEEL. 

The basins were stationary, made of tin or copper, and a 
little larger than the common set water basins of our 
houses. 

A steam engine in the story below supplied the pov/er 
for working the reel, and the water was also kept hot by 
means of the steam brought in pipes for the purpose, 
from the same engine. When the water, in reeling, is 
allowed to get too cool, the cocoons unwind with difli- 
culty, and the silk breaks. 

The reels used in different countries, though upon tho 
same general principle, vary in details of structure. 
Above is an engraving of an Improved Lombardy Hand 
Reel, which is regarded as being as good as any in use. 



SILK CULTURE. 29 

CHAPTER XII T. 
CHEMISTRY OF SILK. 

To philoeophical minds there is nothing more curious 
or wonderful than the change of the green Mulberry 
leaves, through the agency of a mere worm, into the 
soft, smooth silk, w^ith which queens and empresses are 
pleased to adorn themselves. 

It would save much labor and doubtless be a boon to 
mankind, could some way be devised for converting the 
Mulberry into silk, without the aid of the w^orm ; but no 
chemists have yet been able to obtain this result. How- 
ever, they inform us that the fibers of silk are chiefly 
composed of a substance called sericine, mixed with albu- 
men, and that this substance is covered with wax that is 
removed by successive boilings with alcohol, water, acetic 
acid, and water again. 

This pure sericine sinks in water, is white, and of a 
lustre like silk, but it does not turn yellow by nitric acid, 
like other albuminous animal tissue. Mr. Mulder found 
no sulphur in sericine, but carbon 49.11, hydrogen G.5, 
oxygen 26.72, and nitrogen 17.67. 

Raw silk is low in price, while manufactured is high. 
One great cause of manufactured silk being so costly, is 
found in the great loss from imported silk. There is 
twenty-five per cent, of gum in the fiber, which has to be 
removed before drying, and the remaining waste of 
fifteen per cent, is the result of the many different pro- 
cesses which silk passes through in being manufactured. 
Therefore there is a total loss of forty per cent, which 
the manufacturer must take into account in buying, be- 
sides adulterations often found in Chinese silk. Fifteen 
different operations are necessary after taking the silk 
from the reel, before a single spool of silk is ready for the 
market. 



30 SILK CULTURE. 

CHAPTER XIV. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 

The silk culturist has found no royal highway to for- 
tune. The agriculturist is not invited to leave his 
farm untilled, and make silk-growing a special business. 
Rather, let it be looked upon in the light that butter- 
making or poultry-raising is, simply as making one more 
avenue for bringing a needed income from the farm. 

In foreign countries, silk is mostly raised by women 
and children ; each family raising as many worms as pos- 
sible, without interfering with more profitable employ- 
ment. But, in the aggregate, silk culture has been of 
immense benefit to the countries of Japan, China, France, 
and Italy. There is no reasonable doubt, but with equal 
industry and perseverance, silk culture may become of 
equal benefit to American farmers, and of immense value 
to our nation. 

Let the farmer set out a small Mulberry grove, or 
liedge, near his home. "When two years old, let him pur- 
chase in AYashington, Philadelphia, or some other mar- 
ket, a few silk-woi-ms' eggs and a manual of instruction 
in silk culture, and after presenting them to his wife, 
await the results of her experience. Doubtless, she will 
not make more tlie first year, than the cost of the eggs 
and book ; but it is a new business, and there is much to 
learn. Her experience will be of great value the follow- 
ing year, wdien she may, with the aid of growing children 
to pick the leaves, raise fifty-thousand worms ; and, if 
successful, expect some return for her labor, perhaps 
tw^enty-five or fifty dollars, or even more, but depending 
upon the market. 

The present year our Government has seen fit to aid 
this struggling industry so far as to establish experi- 



STLK CULTUEE. 31 

mentiil stations in such States as are best adapted by soil 
and climate to the raising of the silk-worm. Filatures 
will be opened, and Mulberry trees planted near them. 

Millions of dollars tbat might be paid to our own agri- 
culturists, if they were only practical silk growers, are 
yearly sent to foreign countries, to purchase raw silk. 
The right soil and climate for raising the silk, may be 
found m many States of the Union, and there are thou- 
sands of inhabitants who might be materially benefited 
by earning a few dollars each year in this light and inter- 
esting employment. Why not try it ? Go into the busi- 
ness moderately at first ; then, if not successful, there 
will be but little loss. 

In California, the Legislature has aided silk culture by 
opening a filature, where young ladies may learn to reel, 
and where cocoons raised in the State are bought. The 
United States Government has also established an *' ex- 
perimental station " recently, at Piedmont, about three 
miles from Oakland, in the foot hills of the coast moun- 
tains. On visiting the site, one may find the wooden two- 
story building upon a sloping hillside, facing the south, 
and partially surrounded by a grove of Eucalyptus trees. 
The soil is well adapted to the growth of the Mulberry, 
and the steep hillside will soon be covered with hundreds 
of trees suitable for food for the silk-worm. AVhen the 
building is finished, and this industry is firmly estab- 
lished, it is believed that silk may be produced that can- 
not be excelled by foreign countries. At present, there 
are filatures and markets open in several States Avhere 
Mulberry trees, seeds, cuttings, and eggs are sold, and 
where cocoons are bought from culturists. The Phila- 
delphia Silk Culture Association, also, has reels for sale. 
Eggs are usually sold at about one dollar per thousand ; 
but market prices vary. At Washington, D. 0., San 
Francisco, and in other cities, doubtles-s, eggs may be 
purchased upon application. 



33 



SILK CULTURE. 



When agriculturists awaken to the importance of silk 
culture, and, through the aid of Government, filatures 
and markets are established all over our land, then, it is 
believed, that the growing of raw silk will take the prom- 
inence that its importance demands, and that silk cul- 
ture will eventually prove one of the great industries of 
the United States, and amply pay the silk culturist for 
his labor. 




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SILK CULTURE 

A HAND-BOOK 

FOR 

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BY 

Mrs. 0. E. BAMFORD. 



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—Wood-work— Mantels— Hall Windows. 

CHAPTER III.— Furnishing. -The Spare Bedroom-The Boys' Room— The 
Old People's Room— Mother's Room— The Girls' Room— The Dining-room— The 
Parlor. 

In addition there are entertaining and instr^ucfive Chapters upon the following, 
among other topics: Farmers' Wives.— Farm Neighborhoods.— The Dairy-Room 
and Butter-Making.— W^indow Plants.— The Vegetable Garden.— Small Fruita 
and Garden Fruit Trees. - The Best Foods and some Best Methods of Preparing 
Them.— A Few Simple Luxuries. 

PRICE, POST PAID, $1.50. 



THE Saddle-horse. 

A Complete Oiiide for Ridings and Training. 

This is a complete and reliable Guide- Book for all who desire to acquire the 
accomplishment of horsemanship, and who w sh to teach their animals how to 
perform various feats under the saddle. 

12mo, Handsomely Illustrated. Tinted Paper. PRICE, POST-PAID, $1.00. 
O. JUDD CO., 

DAVID W. JIDD, Pios't. SAM'L BIR^HAM, Sec. 

751 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 

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